Save Article

Islamic State Using Syrian City to Plot Attacks Against West, U.S. Says

Secretary of Defense says foreign fighters are also coming through Manbij area to join the terrorists

Syrian Democratic Forces, with the help of U.S. airstrikes, are hoping to retake Manbij, Syria, from ISIS. Why is this considered such a high priority? WSJ’s Jason Bellini has #TheShortAnswer. Photo: Reuters

SINGAPORE—Islamic State is hatching plots against Europe, Turkey and the U.S. from the city of Manbij in Syria, according to Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, who cited the plots as one reason why a new offensive by U.S.-backed Arab and Kurdish fighters to take the city must succeed.

The other reason, according to Mr. Carter, is that foreign fighters bolstering Islamic State’s ranks have been flowing through the area around the city,...